HDNet signs multi-year broadcast deal with European-based BAMMA

The all-high-definition channel on Monday announced a new multi-year deal with the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts (BAMMA), which kicks off with BAMMA 8 on Dec. 10.

“BAMMA puts on the best MMA shows in Europe, and HDNet broadcasts the best fights from around the globe,” HDNet Fights CEO Andrew Simon stated in an official release. “It was the perfect fit. I had to get this deal done!”

Billed as Europe’s “largest largest and most prominent MMA promotion,” BAMMA held its first event in June 2009. The promotion followed up with three events in 2010 and has held three events thus far in 2011.

“We see a U.S. TV partner as a major step in our growth as an organization and believe we have found the ideal partner in HDNet,” BAMMA CEO David Green stated. “We are very excited about this new partnership and look forward to bringing some first-class events to the U.S. public”

The BAMMA 8 card sees Jimi Manuwa face Antony Rea in a light heavyweight bout while Jack Marshman defends his Lonsdale British middleweight title against Lee “Leeroy” Barnes. Jim Wallhead vs. Joey Villasenor and Andre Winner vs. Diego Gonzales have also been announced for the card.

BAMMA is the latest promotion to strike a deal with HDNet, which previously has hosted shows from organizations such as Strikeforce, Affliction Entertainment, DREAM, World Victory Road, ProElite, King of the Cage, Adrenaline MMA and Xtreme Fighting Championships.